2023 Teams
Brooklyn Park Lions
In the early part of 2008 two Brooklyn Park Lions, Lyn Joyner and Bruce Gurley identified a growing concern within the community. Young kids were no longer very physically active or even interacting with other kids outside of their classrooms due to the strong draw of video games and computers. School systems were also rolling back music and sports programs and the rising costs of participation made them financially unattainable for many families. The
large number of kids with nothing much to do but hang out and get into mischief was very troubling. During one of their conversations Bruce recalled his experience during the 1980’s when he was part of the North Minneapolis Leo Johnson Drum Corp. He shared with Lyn how it had changed the direction of his life by provided an alternative to a life on the streets while also creating cherished memories and the lifelong friendships that were integral to his becoming a happy productive adult.
Lyn and Bruce agreed that something similar would be even more important for the children of today. They developed a plan and appealed to their Brooklyn Park Lions Club for assistance. They received a generous donation for equipment and supplies Bruce Gurley agreed to provide the leadership and direction. His plan was to have there be no cost to the kids or their families for participating by having all the needed funds raised through group fund-raisers, performance fees, and personal donations. The Brooklyn Park Lions Drum & Dance Corps received its corporate charter, #30963852 in the State of Minnesota on Nov. 21, 2008. It is also a federally approved and listed 501C3 organization, ID# 90-0429587.
Bruce Gurley personally trained the drummers and marchers with lots of patience, practice and enthusiastic support from the kids and their parents. During the summer of 2009 they achieved their first team goal with an award-winning performance in the Lions Clubs International Parade of Nations through downtown Minneapolis. Bruce walked with and directed the marchers and drummers behind Lynn Joyner who was out front proudly carrying the Brooklyn Park Lions Drum and Bugle banner.
Over the past 16 years the group has continued to grow and flourish. There have been many highlights and a few hardships along the way including the retirement of Lyn Joyner and the tragic untimely death of the founder Bruce Gurley on November 14, 2012. Without Bruce Gurley’s leadership, the disbanding of the group was a real possibility until his brother, Johnnie Gurley and Nate Vinson and Evelyn Steveson , Angelic Jones, Coach Cathy, Coach
Kiwana a few of Bruce’s friends from his old Leo Johnson group stepped forward and volunteered their time and talent to keep his dream alive. A lot has happened since then and I am proud to say the group consisting of 20 to 45 children and teens continuously perform at special events and summer festivals throughout the Twin Cities wearing Lions Club logos on their uniforms and marching behind a Lions Club banner. You may have seen them perform in your own town’s celebration or in the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade.
The Dayton Ohio High Steppers
The Dayton Ohio High Steppers was founded in November 2020. The Dayton Ohio High Steppers has a mission to serve youth in Dayton Ohio through the arts of drill team, dance, and drum corp. We aim to inspire every member to attain higher education by encouraging them to increase his or her physical, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing.Our vision is to award academic scholarships to dancers and drummers all over Ohio while providing resources to youth and families that promote healthy living, community service, and higher education.
Destruction Drill Team
Destruction Drillteam was formed in 2013 by Preecy Stephens Forming inner city youth of Omaha,Nebraska to keep kids off the streets! which til this day there still going strong.The Team ages ranges from 6-18 years old.they have performed all Through out the Midwest.Destruction strives hard to keep the youth busy with weekly activities and practice. This year destruction will be celebrating 10 years of community drillteam.The Team would like to thank the city of Marching against the darkness for having us be apart of this great event now sit back and get ready to be entertained.
Elite Striders
Under the direction of Sameia Charity, the Elite Striders is celebrating 9 years of service in Lake County, Illinois. The Elite Striders is an organization that is supporting the lives of at-risk children in the community. The program serves children ages 7-19. There are 6 core principals instilled in the members to carry throughout their lives they are: Accountability confidence, discipline, integrity, leadership, respect. The structure of the program is used as an intervention/prevention method for keeping the children in the program engaged positively in weekly activities. The goals of the Elite Striders is to increase participation in school, self-improvement, physical health, leadership, and moral sense for development and growth. Our goal is to decrease negative and risky behaviors such as (disrespect, withdrawal, bullying, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, or police involvement). Every season from here on is dedicated to the late Tracy Washington a co-founder of the Striders who passed away Jan 2018.
Gateway Highsteppers
The Gateway Highsteppers Drill Team was founded in October of 1997 by Ms. LaVeda Davis. The team consists of over 40 youth ages 6-18 years old from Kansas City, KS. The Highsteppers have withstood the test of time growing from 13 members in 1997 to over 150 members in 2013. The team originated from Gateway Townhomes Plaza and broke off from the Townhome Plaza in 2001 keeping the name “Gateway Highsteppers”. The motto of the Gateway Highsteppers is “Motivated Youth In Action.” The vision of the team is to provide a positive outlet for youth through dance and music. All Members must maintain a “C” or better average in all classes as grades are checked regularly by staff. Members are expected to have a good quality of character even when they are not in uniform. Since 1997 the Highsteppers Have performed all over the United states including: St. Louis Missiouri, Pine Bluff Arkansas, Memphis Tennessee, Southaven Mississippi,Michigan City Indiana, Omaha Nebraska, Denver Colorado, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Rock Island Illinois, Waterloo Iowa, Des Moines Iowa, St. Paul Minnesota, and Wichita and Great Bend, KS. Recent Victories for the Gateway Highsteppers include: 1st Place drill team in the 2023 KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 2nd place in the 2023 Planet Rock Drill Team Competition, 2nd place in the 2022 KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 2nd Place in the Michigan City Soul Steppers 2022 “ Show up and show” out Drill and Dance Competition, 1st Place in the 2021 Michigan City Soul Steppers “Show up and Show out” Drill Team Competition. 2019 was the team’s best competition season, bringing home a total of 7 first place awards in a row.
In 2022, The Highsteppers celebrated their 25th Anniversary by hosting a competition at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS. This celebration included over 19 performing groups, special guest performances and a Presentation by Mayor Tyrone Garner
KC Marching Falcons
The Kansas City Marching Falcons was founded by Shakina Dawkins. The drill team is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and looking to offer an Afterschool of the Arts program, where members can come to learn about the Arts as well as to receive tutoring services if needed. Over the years the KC Marching Falcons has won many awards, traveled around the country, performed for numerous events, parades, festivals, and accomplished many goals. The team does various community service projects throughout the year, and consists of members from all around the Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas areas.
Our goal is to continuously provide inner city youth with a positive alternative to violence, drugs, and other activities that could hinder their growth into responsible adults. Also, to provide the means by which our community members can participate in self-enhancing activities and to make positive changes in their lives. This is also an opportunity for adults to be positive role models, and to equip the drill team members with leadership skills and conflict resolution strategies.
Michigan City Soul Steppers
The award winning Michigan City Soul Steppers was founded in 2000 & comes from Michigan City, Indiana under the direction of its founder Lyn Isbell. They travel all year round throughout the country & have gained nationwide recognition for outstanding work. They are the 1st place drill team & 1st place drum line winners of the 2023 Drill or Die competition in Zion, Illinois, have made several television appearances, and currently have a performance video that's Viral in Japan, & also were invited to perform in the Pearl Harbor Day Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their vision is to change the negative image of youth by promoting positivity through the art of stepping.
The Kansas City Marching Wildcats Drill Team
The Kansas City Marching Wildcats Drill Team was Founded in 2003 by the late Tammy Scott. For three and a half years, the Founder Tammy Scott worked hard to achieve an excellent organization of drill team members and staff. Late 2006, the
The Marching Wildcats unexpectedly lost its founder. Though Mrs Tammy is gone her memory still lives on in the lives of Wildcats today. Her vision of an Organization that teaches Leadership and Life skills, Responsibility, Importance of Education, Self Sufficiency as an adult to become a Productive and Successful in their Careers and Jobs, Hoping to bring Inspiration and Innovation that will impact their Lives and Guild them to have Strong Futures through the guidance of its new Owner Jereaca Buford and
Director Ms. TyShai Pennington and staff. The Wildcats truly live by the motto “no child is left behind”. This drill team is dedicated to pointing our children in a positive direction as well as providing the youth with an alternative to the negativity seen in everyday life. It is our belief that if we provide our children with a safe, positive place to learn and grow, they will become more effective leaders, decision makers, and assets to their communities. By supporting our children and their creative abilities, we believe this will make a difference in today’s youth.
The Union Baptist Crusaders Drill Team & Drumline
The Union Baptist Crusaders Drill Team & Drumline was established in 1967, under the leadership of the late Pastor L. J. Jordan. Our present leadership is provided by Pastor Marvin D. Jenkins, and Crusaders’ directors, Sis. Gertha Oliver, and Sis. Pat Bowers.
Crusaders Drill Team and Drumline is made up of young people, ages 5 to 25. All of them are active members of their home church, serving as choir members, ushers, Sunday School students or praise dancers.
In past seasons, Crusaders have appeared all over the Midwest in parades, performances and contests, including the 2019 Gateway Competition in Kansas City, KS, where they took first place. The Crusaders went on to win more over the course of time, including 2nd place overall, and 1st place Drumline in last year’s MATD contest.
The Crusaders celebrate 55 years of marching. We carry the American flag and the Christian Flag side by side, symbolizing a Mighty Nation alongside a Mighty God.
TKO Drumline and Knock Out Dance Team
TKO Drumline and Knock Out Dance Team under the direction of Byron Hawkins, Director participates in multi-state parades and competitions. We provide services to youth 5 to 18 and you can catch them at a local event in a City near you or around town in Minneapolis. Please call 612-715-2545 for more details.